Cecilia (song)
Encyclopedia
"Cecilia" is a song written by US musician Paul Simon
. It was first recorded by Simon and Garfunkel
for their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water
. When released as a single, it reached #4 in the US charts. The single did not chart in the UK, despite being released as the follow-up to Simon and Garfunkel's number one hit "Bridge Over Troubled Water
".
The songwriter suggests that the "Cecilia" of the title refers to St. Cecilia
, patron saint of music
in the Catholic
tradition, and thus the song might refer to the frustration of fleeting inspiration in songwriting, the vagaries of musical fame or in a wider sense the absurdity of pop culture. The song is generally interpreted as a lament over a capricious lover who causes both anguish and jubilation to the singer. St. Cecilia is mentioned in another Paul Simon song, "The Coast" (from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints
): "A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia."
, which did not chart. French-speaking American musician Joe Dassin
sang a French version of this song in 1970, while in February 1971, a version was released in England by the New Wave Band (a group that comprised three members of the band that would soon become 10cc
) and Herman's Hermits
guitarist Derek Leckenby
. It did not chart.
A cover version by California-based dance duo Times Two
was released in 1988; it did not chart.
Another cover version by Suggs
(the lead singer of UK pop band Madness
) that appeared on his 1995 debut solo album The Lone Ranger
, became his most successful single, reaching #4 in the UK, and selling more than 500,000 copies.
In 1998, Swedish pop band Ace of Base
released a Europop
track titled "Cecilia
" from their album Flowers
, which continues the story of the Paul Simon's character. Jenny Berggren, lead vocalist for the band, sings, "This is a song about a well-known girl", then tells of Cecilia's continuous bouncing back and forth between lovers.
In 2009, guitarist Jesse Cook
did a cover version of the song on his album, The Rumba Foundation. It featured Jeremy Fisher
on vocals.
Indie rock band Local Natives
covered the song in 2009.
This song was covered on Gaelic Storm
's album Cabbage, which was released on August 3, 2010.
The song was performed on April 6, 2011 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
by Simon accompanied by Jimmy Fallon
and the cast of Stomp
.
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
. It was first recorded by Simon and Garfunkel
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel are an American duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the...
for their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water
Bridge over Troubled Water
Bridge Over Troubled Water is the fifth and final studio album by Simon & Garfunkel. Released on January 26, 1970 on both Quadraphonic and Stereo formats, it reached No. 1 on Billboard Music Charts pop albums list...
. When released as a single, it reached #4 in the US charts. The single did not chart in the UK, despite being released as the follow-up to Simon and Garfunkel's number one hit "Bridge Over Troubled Water
Bridge over Troubled Water (song)
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at...
".
The songwriter suggests that the "Cecilia" of the title refers to St. Cecilia
Saint Cecilia
Saint Cecilia is the patroness of musicians and Church music because as she was dying she sang to God. It is also written that as the musicians played at her wedding she "sang in her heart to the Lord". St. Cecilia was an only child. Her feast day is celebrated in the Roman Catholic, Anglican,...
, patron saint of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
in the Catholic
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
tradition, and thus the song might refer to the frustration of fleeting inspiration in songwriting, the vagaries of musical fame or in a wider sense the absurdity of pop culture. The song is generally interpreted as a lament over a capricious lover who causes both anguish and jubilation to the singer. St. Cecilia is mentioned in another Paul Simon song, "The Coast" (from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints
The Rhythm of the Saints
The Rhythm of the Saints is the eighth studio album by Paul Simon, released in 1990. Like its predecessor Graceland, the album gained commercial success and received mostly favorable reviews from critics...
): "A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia."
Chart performance
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 6 |
| Austrian Top 40 | 6 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 1 |
| German Singles Chart | 2 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
Cover versions
A cover version was released in 1970 by UK group Harmony GrassHarmony Grass
Harmony Grass was a British pop group active briefly in the late 1960s.The group was formed in Essex by previous members of Tony Rivers & the Castaways, including Tony Rivers himself. They signed to RCA Records about a year after they formed, and their single "Move in a Little Closer" hit #24 on...
, which did not chart. French-speaking American musician Joe Dassin
Joe Dassin
Joseph Ira Dassin , more commonly known as Joe Dassin, was an American singer-songwriter best known for his French songs of the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
sang a French version of this song in 1970, while in February 1971, a version was released in England by the New Wave Band (a group that comprised three members of the band that would soon become 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
) and Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits
Herman's Hermits are an English beat band, formed in Manchester in 1963 as Herman & The Hermits. The group's record producer, Mickie Most , emphasized a simple, non-threatening, clean-cut image, although the band originally played R&B numbers...
guitarist Derek Leckenby
Derek Leckenby
Derek "Lek" Leckenby was an English musician and lead guitarist, most famous for his work with English pop group Herman's Hermits.-Early life:Leckenby was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire...
. It did not chart.
A cover version by California-based dance duo Times Two
Times Two
Times Two was an American male duo of vocalists/keyboardists that wrote most of their own material. Times Two were Shanti Jones and Johnny Dollar, both from Point Reyes, California....
was released in 1988; it did not chart.
Another cover version by Suggs
Suggs (singer)
Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
(the lead singer of UK pop band Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
) that appeared on his 1995 debut solo album The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger (album)
The Lone Ranger is the first solo album by British singer Suggs, best known as a vocalist of second wave ska band Madness. It was released in 1995...
, became his most successful single, reaching #4 in the UK, and selling more than 500,000 copies.
In 1998, Swedish pop band Ace of Base
Ace of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
released a Europop
Europop
Europop refers to a style of pop music that first developed in today's form in Europe, throughout the late 1970s. Europop topped the charts throughout the 1980s and ’90s...
track titled "Cecilia
Cecilia (Ace of Base song)
"Cecilia" is a song from Ace of Base's third record titled Flowers. It was released as a single in Italy and Spain in the spring of 1999. The song was written as a continuation of the song of the same name by Simon & Garfunkel.-Italy:...
" from their album Flowers
Flowers (Ace of Base album)
A re-release of the record in UK saw "Cecilia" replaced with "Cecilia " and "Cruel Summer " replaced with "Everytime It Rains"-Australian release:#"Cruel Summer "#"Donnie "...
, which continues the story of the Paul Simon's character. Jenny Berggren, lead vocalist for the band, sings, "This is a song about a well-known girl", then tells of Cecilia's continuous bouncing back and forth between lovers.
In 2009, guitarist Jesse Cook
Jesse Cook
Jesse Cook is a Toronto-based guitarist, born in Paris to Canadian parents. Like other guitarists of his style of music, he incorporates funky jazz, latin & world music into his playing. Cook is also well known for the energy of his live shows. He has contributed to the Afro Celt Sound System album...
did a cover version of the song on his album, The Rumba Foundation. It featured Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Fisher is based in Montreal, Quebec and was previously based on Vancouver Island, B.C. and in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A....
on vocals.
Indie rock band Local Natives
Local Natives
Local Natives are an indie rock band based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, USA. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, was first released in the UK in November 2009, and later released in the US on February 16, 2010...
covered the song in 2009.
This song was covered on Gaelic Storm
Gaelic Storm
Gaelic Storm is a Celtic band. Their music includes traditional Irish music, Scottish music, and original tunes in both the Celtic and Celtic rock genres...
's album Cabbage, which was released on August 3, 2010.
The song was performed on April 6, 2011 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
by Simon accompanied by Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon
James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon, Jr. is an American actor, comedian, singer, musician and television host. He currently hosts Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a late-night talk show that airs Monday through Friday on NBC...
and the cast of Stomp
Stomp (dance troupe)
Stomp is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.-History and performances:...
.